Egg-turning device



, Aug. 9, 1927.

1,638,072 G. M. TURF-IN EGG TURN-INC} DEVICE Filed Jan. 6, 1926 gwvmM01,

Patented Aug. 9 1 927.

GEORGE M. warm, or MURRA cI'i'Y UTAH.

EGG-TURNING nnvicn.

Application filedjian uary 6, 1926. Serial No. 79,537.

My invention relates to means for hatchfiling poultry, and has for itsobject to pro vide a new, rapml and efficient device for turning theeggsin an incubator. I

5 A further object is to'proVide a case wherein more eggs may be placedand hatched within a predetermined sized incubato-rthan has heretoforebeen done on a self turning device, and in which the chicks may behatched and kept until they are ready to be placed in the brooder.

These objects I accomplish with the device illustrated in theaccompanying drawings in which similar numerals and letters of referenceindicate like parts throughout the several views and as described in thespecification forming a part of this applica-' tion and as pointed outin the appended claims.

In the drawings in which I have shown the most preferred manner ofcarrying out my invention, Figure l is a plan View of the base or bottomof the apparatus. Figure2 is-a longitudinal section on line 2-2 ofFigure 1. Figure 3 is a plan view of the turning rack. Figure 4 is alongitudinal section on line t-4 of Figure 3, and Figure 5 is a sideelevation of an apparatus assembled within an incubator, with dottedlines to show the length of movement of the turning rack.

It is the required and common practice to turn eggs in the incubator twoor three times each day during incubation, and to turn each egg by handrequires the removal of the trays, the turning of the eggs by hand andthe replacement of the trays holding the hand turned eggs to theincubator, and with my apparatus I am enabled to turn 40 every egg,without removing the trays from the incubator, and in very much lesstime than has heretofore been done.

My apparatus consists of a wooden frame "A, preferable rectangular inform and of size to fit the incubator within which any number of themmay be used. The bottom for said frame is of closed meshed wire screenB. Between opposite sides of said frame A, I secure spaced apart stripsof friction material C shaped as'a segment of a cylinder, and with thearc sides of earh bearing against the screen bottom B. A turning rack Dis superimposed on each of said frames and the sides of the incubator orother adjacent racks keep the racks in vertical alinement with theircoaeting frames A. I The said racks are given the same shape and widthas the frames A but are one section shorter, and eaeh'raeltcoir sists ofa metal frame 1 with the lower edges inwart ly flanged, as at I provideparallel wire cross pieces 3 which are spaced apart the same distance asthe segment cylinders C and normally said cross wires are positionedvertically over said segment member C and are spaced above saidsegments. The

said cross wlres 3 are made by bending a single wire at the requiredlength to reach from side to side of said metal frame. 1. with shortlengths bentvat right angles thereto to space the longer lengths therequired distances apart and back and forth across the frame. The wireframe thus constructed is soldered to and rests upon the flange 2 of themetal frame 1 which construction gives a rigid, light weight, and easilycleaned rack D. There are one less cross wires 3 than the segmentscylinders C to allow the rackD to slide lengthwise.

The cross wires 3 are spaced far enough toallow an egg to be placed onthe wire screen with its shell touching the adjacent friction strips Gand two of the cross wires 3. The eggs may be placed on their ends orsides and closely positioned as to each other. To turn the eggs the rackD is moved longitudinally endwise, which movement will roll theeggs'over one of said frictional strips into the trough formed by thespaced apart wires and the adjacent friction strip, and at the nextturning, which is effected by sliding the rack in the opposite directionthe eggs will assume a different position but will be returned to thetrough .in which they first rested. The chicks may be hatched on theframes with the screens'providing a floor on which they may stand. orsit.

Having thus described my invention I desire to secure by Letters Patentand claim 1. In an egg tray for use in incubators the combination of abase, having a screen bottom thereto; transversely disposedsemicylindrical strips, secured thereon: a turning rack superimposedover said base, having transversely disposed cross wires thereon,adapted to carry eggs between themand to force the eggs over the saidsemicylindrical strips on said base when saidturning rack is movedlongitudinally on said base, to turn the eggs over.

2. In an egg turning tray the combination of, a base; having side wallsthereon;

ios

a wire screen secured in the bottom of said base: transversely disposedsemicylindrical strips on said wire and secured between the walls ofsaid base; a turning rack resting on the edges of said side walls andadapted to be moved longitudinally along said walls; of said base; crosswires secured transverse- 1y across said turning rack adapted to holdrows of eggs between wires and to turn said eggs when said rack is movedlongitudinally on said base.

3. In an egg tray for use in incubators the combination of a rectangularframe; wire screen secured on the. bottom of said frame; semicylindriealfriction strips -semicylindrical side of said strips upward;

a similar frame superimposed on said first mentioned frame butshortcrthan said first mention frame; cross wires secured in said secondmentioned frame to hold eggs therebetween in asemiuprightposition; andto turn said eggs when said frame is moved longitudinally upon saidfirst mentioned frame.

In testimony whereof I have aflixed my signature.

GEORGE M; vTURPIN.

